Tomato prices crash in Lagos, other markets: Report

*Nigerian tomato growers and processors urge consumers to take advantage of the significant drop in prices, and preserve as much of the produce as possible amid the current excess supply of the farm produce to markets

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

The prices of tomatoes have reduced in Lagos, and other parts of Nigeria because of the harvest season, which has resulted in a glut of the produce in the country.

Cross-sections of farmers said that the excess supply of the farm produce had led to a significant drop in prices.

They disclosed that a 50kg basket of tomatoes selling for as low as N10,000 to N12,000, agency report said.

In Lagos, for instance, a big basket of tomatoes now sells for between N13,000 and N15,000, down from N140,000 to N150,000 May 2024.

The price drop has been attributed to the harvest season, which typically occurs from January to March of the year.

Speaking on the development, Mr. Rabiu Zuntu, Chairman of the Tomatoes Growers and Processors Association of Nigeria, Kaduna State Chapter, urged consumers to take advantage of the low prices and preserve as much of the produce as possible.

Zuntu noted that the sector experiences significant post-harvest losses due to lack of storage facilities and preservation technologies in Nigeria.

The Chairman of the Association also explained that consumers can preserve tomatoes through various methods, including blending, boiling, and storing in airtight jars.

He equally recommended that consumers buy and bury tomatoes underground in a humid atmosphere to maintain their freshness.

On tomatoes glut and storage facilities in Nigeria

Zuntu, however, stated: “One of the problems we face in the tomato sector is that the period from January, February, and March is that of tomato glut (excess harvest of tomatoes).

“This tomato glut usually leads to almost 50 percent post-harvest losses because we lack storage facilities, cold rooms, and other technologies to preserve the tomatoes and other vegetables.”

The Chairman noted: “Presently, we only have a few functioning tomato processing facilities to help reduce our post-harvest losses we witness annually.

“We usually advise consumers during this period to preserve as much tomatoes as they can to cushion the effect when the produce gets expensive later in the year.”

Zuntu also advised consumers that during this glut period, “households can buy it at a cheaper price and preserve it for the time when the price goes up.”

Meanwhile, tomato vendors in Lagos State have confirmed the drop.in prices of the commodity, and urged households to stock up on the produce while it is still affordable.

Some consumers as well shared their experiences, citing the challenges of preserving tomatoes due to inconsistent electricity supply, report noted.

Despite the challenges, several Nigerian consumers are taking advantage of the current low prices to buy and preserve tomatoes for future use.